Multiplex repeater



Sept. 12, 1944.

W. J. ZENNER MULTIPLEX REPEATER Filed April 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'INVENTOR. WALTER J. ZENNER ORN Patented Sept. 12, 1944 MULTIPLEX REPEATER Walter J. Zenner, Des Plaines, lll., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a 'corporation of Delaware Application April 27, 1942, Serial No. 440,633

15 Claims.

This invention relates to telegraph systems and particularly to a multiplex repeater for storing telegraph signals for retransmission.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a, telegraph repeater system wherein message signal combinations are momentarily stored before retransmission.

Another object of this invention is to provide a telegraph repeater system which enables; the transmission of signal messages from an incoming multiplex channel to an outgoing multiplex channel whereby marginal variations in speed of operation between the channels are automatically compensated.

This invention contemplates the use of a telegraph repeater mechanism comprising a set of five receiving relays actuatable from a receiving distributor connected to an incoming line in combination with a plurality of rotatable bails each one of which carries a set of five signal storage levers each settable by an according to signal conditions of a related receiving relay. After the lever of a particular bail are set up according to a signal code combination, the bail is released from a signal transferring position by energization of a magnet controlled by a local sixth pulse. The released bail is then rotated and enters a position whereat its levers selectively operate a set of contacts which are connected to a transmitting distributor which repeats the signal over an outgoing 1ine. After the ball has thus performed its transmitting function, it is again released by a local sixth pulse and moves past a wipe-out comb which resets the displaced levers to their original positions.

Although the apparatus disclosed in the present invention may have various uses and applications for the storage and retransmission of telegraph signal code combinations, it has been designed for use particularly as a multiplex telegraph repeating apparatus. In the use of the repeater system shown herein connecting trunk lines are presumed to be operated at approximately the same speed though not necessarily at the same operating speed, having a maximum allowable speed variation which may, vary between 97% and 103%. A transmitting source such as a tape transmitter will beused equipped ing atthe maximum rate or'.l03%, the repeater will suppress the six blank signals andsolid copy will be retransmitted over the slower channel without the loss of any intelligence signals. If both channels are operating at the same'speeds, the entiresix blanks will pass through the repeater. 0n the other hand, if an outgoing .channel is operating at a greater speed than an incoming channel a sufficient number of blank signals are inserted into the outgoing line by the transmitting distributor to compensate for the variations in speed. Under. this last condition the outgoing channel would, repeat not only the original six blank signals but would also insert additional blank signals due to the particular type of variation in speed between the channels.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view with portions broken away showing the signal storing mechanism embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view partly in section of the mechanism shown in Fig. ;1;

Fig. 3 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating one application of the present invention; and v I Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the blank signal suppressor mechanism embodied in the present invention.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1 there is disclosed therein a storage and repeater mechanism which is adapted to be mounted between the frame members Ill and II which may be part of the framework of a telephone or telegraph exchange. Amotor l2 carries a worm l3 mounted on its armature shaft l4 and through it. drives the worm gear l5 attached to the shaft IS. A worm gear II on shaft l6 drives the gear I8 of shaft I! which supports the rotary mechanism of the repeater.

The shaft 19 is joumaled in bearings 22 and carries at one end a pair of spaced collars 23, 24, the latterof which is threaded on a bushing 25 integral with collar 23 which bushing carries a. set of spacer washers 26 between which are journaled a plurality-of bail. supporting arm members 21. Similarly at the other end of shaft I9 there is disclosed apair of collars '30 and 3| and a similar bushing (notsectionallyshown) supporting. a setof spacing washers '32 between which'are joumaledthebail supporting arm members 33. Eachof the bail'members 35,.o'f which six are shown in the-'instant'example; is thus rotatably supportedrat its extremities by arms-rjournaled 26 and 32. a

between the spacing washers balls 36 project.

Near the middle of the shaft I9, is mounted a friction clutch mechanism for controlling the rotation of the bail members 35. tached to the shaft I9 is a collar 49 against Fixedly at- The felt discs 63, the bail supporting discs 44, I

and the metallic discs 41 are keyed for slidable movement on a sleeve 9|. As shown in Fig. 2, the bail impellers 46 have slots 59 into which the When shaft I 9 is rotating any particular bail 35 which is not-restrained from movement, will be rotated due to the frictional engagement of the felt discs 43 with the bail impellers 44.

A'set of five relays 55 are attached (Fig. 2) to a transverse supporting plate 61.- Each of the relays 55 has associated therewith an armature 65 pivoted at 62 and carrying at its end'an adjustment screw 66. Extending between the frame members II and II is a channel member 63. In the channel member 66 there is slidably mounted a set of plunger 19 which align with the adjustment screws 66, Fig. 2, of the armatures 65. Each plunger has a reduction portion II extending through a spring I: which normally urges the plunger downwardly as viewed in Fig. 1. The plunger extensions 13 align with and may be pushed againstvprojections ll of a set of latches 15 carried by the bails 35.

The latches I of which there are five mmsited upon each bail are pivoted at I6 and urg in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 by springs TI. The springs 'II extend between the lever members 13 and one end of the latch members I5. Normally, the levers 18 are held up by the latches at the shoulder portion 19 due to the pulling action of the springs I1.

The balls 35 are held at their signal storing position by the armature 89 (Fig. 2) of a stop magnet 6|, the. projection 92 of the armature normally overlying in the path of the bail members 35. When the receiving distributor 63 shown in Fig. 3 operates to energize the selecting relays 55 according to the incoming signal code combinations the armatures 65 of the relays 55 are either retained in their original position or moved to the left in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2 according to whether a marking or spacing impulse is received. If a marking impulse is received, armature 65 of relay 55 moves in a clockwise direction to move the armature screw 66 into contact-with its plunger I9. This moves the plunger against the action of coil spring 12 into the projection Id of the latch .15 rocking the, latch 15 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, and permitting the lever I6 to move in a clockwise direction under the influence of spring 11. The levers I6 are either tripped or remain untripped depending upon the signal code combination received by the selecting magnets 55. After a: code is received, the distributor 63 sends a local sixth impulse to the stop magnet 3|, which upon its energization attracts its armature 39 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 against the force of the spring "I to thereby remove the projecting edge 32 of the armature from the path of a particular bail 35. After this is accomplished the friction clutch members 44 carry the ball past the armature 99 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. a

When because of the idleness of relays 6i or 9i their armatures 99 and 92 are permitted to 5 remain de-energized for an extended period of '15 61 which carries a plurality of adjusting screws 39 which act as back stops for the armatures 65 of the selecting relays 55. Screw 85 connects strip 61 to the upper block member 59 while screw 96 connects the strip to the lower 20 block member 59.

Mounted on the rear of the frame I9 is a bracket 99 which carries a further'stop magnet 9i which acts to stop a bail in anticipation of its signal repeating position whereby to time its P ssage through the transmitting position. As-

sociated with the stop magnet 9i is the armature 92 which is pivoted at 95 and normally urged to rotate in a counterclockwise direction by the 'spring I69. As the released bail moves in its counterclockwise direction, it encounters a first projection 94 of the armature 92 and is blocked from further movement until the relay 9i is engergized. When relay 9| receives an impulse from the transmitting distributor 93 as shown in Fig. 3, the relay 9| is again energized and its armature 92 moves in a clockwise direction to free a particular ball 35 for further counterclockwise rotation.. The bail 35 thus continues to rotate until it encounters a second projection 96 of the 40 armature 92 where it is held in its transmitting position. As the ball is held in this position, a series of contact engaging levers I99 carried on plate 91 are thereby cammed counterclockwise about their pivot I9I against the action of their coil springs I92 or remain stationary correspondingly affecting the contacts I93 also mounted on plate 91. The brush I95 of a two-channel multiplex retransmitting distributor 93 rotates and sends the signal produced by the positions of the 59 contacts I93 out over the line I95a and when the brushes I96 traverses the segments I91, a local circuit is completed to the stop magnet 9! to advance the bail 35 in its counterclockwise direction since the projection 96 is at this time moved out of the path of the bail 35 and in a counterclockwise direction upon the energization of the magnet 9i. The projection 94 of the armature 92 then acts to time the entrance of a succeeding bail35 into its transmitting position and the 60 projection 96 of the armature 92 acts to retain such bail 35 in its transmitting position.

The mechanism for suppressing the blank signals which are transmitted over the incoming line 64 by some suitable means, for instance, by the 65 instrumentality of a tape transmitter in which a number of blank signals are automatically sent, will now be described. In the present invention it is contemplated that six blank signals be sent over the line 66 with every 100 communication 70 signals. A blank signal would accordingly be inserted in the message at approximately sixteen signal intervals. Attached to the vertically extending channel member 69 is a bracket 99 on which is suitably supported a rotatable shaft I I9 which is supported at its other end by a bracket I I I attached to the frame member III. The shaft III! is held against longitudinal displacement by means of the collars I I2 and I I3. suitably mounted at the top and bottom of the shaft, respectively, by means of set screws. At points along the shaft I III are fixedly mounted a series of lugs 5 (Fig. 4) having depending slotted portions 1 Fig. 2.

It is therefore apparent that if any one Of the plungers I is moved to theleft upon the energization of its associated magnet, rock shaft III). will be rocked in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2. At the upper endof the rock shaft is mounted a bell crank member II8 having an upwardly extending portion which is adapted to cooperate with a shoulder III of a lever'II8 pivoted at 9 and urged in a counterclockwise direction by a spring I20. If one of the relays 55 becomes energized, its plunger I0 will rock the .shaft in a clockwise direction and remove the shoulder [2| of lever I I5 from behind the stop -armature 88 which is associated with the stop magnet 8| so that the armature 88 is free to pivot out of the path of the bail and allow it to be released when the magnet 8| is energized. The upwardly extending portion of bell crank I I5 latches behind shoulder III of lever I I8 holding the rock shaft III) in its clockwise position. However, if none of theplungers is actuated, the rock shaft remains in its original position and the shoulder |2I of arm II6 remains in the path of the armature 80 and prevents the energization of magnet 8| from releasing a bail 35.

When following the operation of any one of the relays 55, its plunger 1| rotates rock shaft III! of the blank signal eliminating device and a bail 35 is released, it moves past the extremity of the lever II8, engaging it and pivoting the lever in a clockwise direction and thus allowing the rock shaft to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, inasmuch as the shoulder II'I of lever H8 is lifted out of the path of the upwardly extending portion of bell crank I I8. The rock shaft I III is biased in a, counterclockwise direction by a spring I25 which is attached to a lug I28 depending from the rock shaft. When a blank signal is received by the receiving distributor 83 none of the relays 55 will be energized and the ball 35 is accordingly retained in its original position.

Accordingly, the signal storage balls 35 are restrained because the armature 80 of magnet 8| is not permitted to move to its attracted position and as a result, other balls 35 will accumulate behind the foremost one of them thus blocked, maintaining, however, a spaced relationship one from another of such distance that but one bail 35 may be permitted to escape the stop lug 82 of armature 80 coincident with the impulse operation of said armature when upon the receipt of a nonblank signal, the effect of energizing magnet 8| is not blocked by bell crank member H6. As the bails 35 receive their signal storage setting in accordance with the operation of the several setting relays 55, they pass in counterclockwise direction to accumulate behind the armature abutment 94 of the transmitting control magnet 9|. Here again the storage bails 35 may be permitted to accumulate consistent with the speed of signal transmission as compared with the relays frequency of magnet 9| which is deter- .is moved rightwardly by its armature 65, see also mined, of course, by the frequency of operation of transmitting distributor 93.

' When the ball 35 is released'upon the energize.- tion of magnet 9| and the armature .32 is attracted withdrawing the projection 98,- the particular ball 35 moves past the comb member I3I' whose projections I engage any of the levers I8 which have been moved out of their unset position restoring such levers to their original positions ready for another signal.

As was previously'mentioned in every 100 operations, six blank signals will be received over line 34 and the suppressing mechanism, therefore, will likewise function six times. If the transmitting distributor 93 is operating at the same rate of speed as the receiving distributor 83, t it will send six blank signals over the line I05a.

will not be retransmitted over line I85a inasmuch as the receiving distributor 93 is moving slower, and all of the signal code combinations set up on the bails 35 by the levers I8 will be-used to transmit solid copy without the loss of any intelligence signals. However, if the transmitter distributor 93 is faster than the receiving distributor 83 it will insert a suflicient number of the additional blanks into line III5a' to compensate for the difference in speed between the two distributors. It is assumed that all channels will be operated at substantially the same speed and will be allowed speed variations ranging between 97% and 103% as previously explained.

It will be understood that the speed of rotation of driving shaft I9 will besuch that after a'bail 35 encounters the first projection 94 of armature 92 and is stopped, it will be released to travel to the transmitting position blocked by the second projection 96 of the armature at the proper time interval for signal transmission.

Various modifications and changes may be made in the hereinbefore described invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Although the invention has been described in connection with multiplex systems, it may also find uses and applications in other telegraph systems.

What is claimed is:

'1. In a signal storage device, a set of receiving relays, means to condition said relays in accordance with incoming signals received over a line, a, plurality of rotatable bails, a set of settable members carried by each of said bails, means controlled by the conditionment of said relays for permutably positioning said settable members in accordance with received signals, means to retain said bails in a position to store signal code combinations on said settable members and release said bail when a complete combination is registered for movement to a signal transfer position,

received along with message matter signals, a

multiplex receiving distributor associated with said incoming line, a plurality of members, each carrying a setof signal storage elements and movable from a signal receiving position to a signal transfer position, a set of instrumentalities permutably conditionable by signals from said receiving distributor to selectively control said storage elements according to received signals, means normally operable to release one of said plurality of members from its signal receiving position after a message matter intelligence signal code combination is received, and means to render said last-mentioned means ineflective when a blank signal code combination is received.

3. In a signal storage device for association with an incoming line over which blank signals are received, a plurality of members each carrying a set of signal storage elements and movable from a signal receiving position to a signal communication position, means to condition said elements according to received permutation signals from said incoming line, means normally operative to retain said lurality of members in signal receiving position and to release said members for movement to its signal transfer position after a combination of intelligence signals is received, and means to render said release means ineflective when blank signals are received.

4. In a multiplex telegraph system, an incomlevers in their unselected position, means associated with said instrumentalities for operating said latches to position said levers according to signal characteristics, means to successively release said members from their signal-receiving position to their signal transfer position after successive code combinations are received, a set of transmitting contacts at said signal transfer position adapted to be selectively operated according to theconditionment of said storage levers and an outgoing line associated with said A transmitting contacts.

ing channel over which blank signals along with miscellaneous matter intelligence signals are periodically received, an outgoing channel susceptible of operating at a slower speed than said incoming channel within marginal speed limits of said incoming channel, a multiplex repeater interconnecting said incoming and outgoing channels, including a plurality of individually rotatable bails having thereon permutably conditionable elements to store the incoming signals prior to retransmission to the outgoing line, and a blank signal suppressor mechanism associated with said repeater including means for preventing rotation of said bails in response to blank signals and for permitting rotation of said bails in response to intelligence signals, said outgoing channel being thereby adapted to repeat all blanks signals when said channels are operating at uniform speed and to send no blank signals when operating at its slowest tolerable limits of operation and to repeat a number of blank signals in its other tolerable operating speeds representative of the speed variations between the channels.

5. In a multiplex telegraph storage system, an

incoming channel over which blank signals are I periodically received, an outgoing channel, said channel being susceptible of operating within tolerable'speed limits, means to insert blank signals into said incoming channel, a repeater interconnecting said channels, and a blank suppressor mechanism associated with said repeater including means for suppressing each of said received incoming blank signals and permitting the transfer of each intelligent signal code combination to said outgoing channel to thereby compensate for speed variations between said channels without the loss of intelligence code combinations.

6. In a signal storage device, an incoming line, a set of signal-responsive instrumentalities permutably conditionable by signals from said line, a plurality of members each carrying a set of storage levers and movable from a signal-receiving to a signal transfer position, a set of latches v 7. A multiplex repeater including a plurality of mechanical storage loops, each of which carries a set of storage elements for storing complete signal combinations, a multiplex receiving distributor, a plurality of relays conditioned by said multiplex receiving distributor, a multiplex sending distributor, a plurality of contacts which .condition said multiplex sending distributor, and means for presenting successively each storage loop for selectively operating said signal storage elements to said plurality of relays to receive and store signal code combinations and means to thereafter release said storage loops to a position to cooperate with said plurality of contacts to transfer the stored signal code combinations to said multiplex sending distributor.

8. In a signal storage device, an incoming line, a plurality of members each carrying a set of signal storage elements and movable from a signal-receiving position to a signal transfer position, a set of signal-responsive instrumentalities for permutably conditioning said elements according to received signals from said line, means normally operative to successively retain each of said plurality of members in a signal-receiving position and to successively release each of said members for movement to its signal transfer position after a combination of intelligent signals is received, and means common to said signalresponsive instrumentalities and actuatable by any one thereof for preventing the release of said members unless at least one of said instrumentalities is actuated in a given code combination.

9. In a signal storage device, an incoming line, a setof signal-responsive instrumentalities permutably conditionable by signals from said line,

a plurality of members each carrying a set of storage levers and movable from a signal-receiving to a signal-transfer position, a set of latches cooperating with said levers to normally hold said levers in their unselected position, means associated with said instrumentalities for operating said latches to position said levers according to signal characteristics, means to successively release said members from their signal-receiving positions to their signal-transfer positions after successive code combinations are received, a set of transmitting contacts atsaid signal-transfer position adapted to be selectively operated according to the conditionment of said storage levers, and a reset means having projecting members in the path of displaced levers for resetting said levers to their original positions, means to retain the release member in its signal-transfer position, and means to release said member to enable the displaced levers to engage said projections of said reset means to enable said levers to return to their original positions.

10. In a multiplex repeater, a signal line, a plurality of members each carrying a set of signal storage elements and movable from the signal-receiving position to a timing position and thence to a signal-transfer position, means to permutably condition said elements according to signals received over said line, means operative to retain each of said plurality of members in its signal-receiving position and to successively release each of said members for movement to its timing position after a given combination of signals is received, means for temporarily retaining a release member in its timing position and releasing said member for further movement to a signal-transfer position, a set of signal receiving instrumentalities selectively operable by said storage elements, and means to maintain said member in its signal-transfer position to transfer a stored signal combination from said storage element to said instrumentalities and release said member after a stored signal is transferred.

11. In a signal storage device, an incoming line, a plurality of members each carrying a set of signal storage elements and movable from a signal-receiving position to a signal-transfer position, a set of relays for permutably conditioning said elements according to received signals from said incoming line, and means operative to successively retain each of said plurality of members in its signal-receiving position and to successively release each of said members for movement to its signal transfer position after a combination of signals is received.

12. In a system of permutation code signal retransmission, a plurality of signal storage members each having conditionable elements corresponding to the components of a permutation code, driving means for propelling said members over a circuitous course individually and successively, a magnet responsive to incoming signals having an armature for accumulating said members at a signal storage position in said course and for releasing each one of said members singly to be driven by said propelling means, a magnet located at a retransmission position in said course and responsive to local distributor impulses for releasing said storage members singly following the transfer of permutation code signals therefrom, and a series of retransmission contact pairs located at said retransmission position in said course actuatable by said storage member elements when their storage member is disposed thereat.

13. In a multiplex transmission system, a multiplex receiving distributor, a multiplex retransmitting distributor, a plurality of signal storage members, means for individually advancing said signal storage members from a position associated with one of said distributors to the other over a circuitous course, a relay for arresting said members in signal storage position under the control of said multiplex receiving distributor, means for arresting said storage members in signal transmitting postion under the control of said multiplex retransmitting distributor, and a conditioning apparatus for said receiving distributor arresting means to prevent its effectiveness in the event of certain classes of permutation code signals.

14. In a retransmitting apparatus for repeating signals over a multiplex system, a plurality of individually revoluble storage members driven over a circuitous course, electromagnetic means for collecting said members at a signal storage position under the control of a multiplex receiving distributor, electromagnetic means for collecting said members in signal retransmitting position under the control of a transmitting distrobutor, and signal wipe-out apparatus located with respect to said course to engage said members during their travel from said signal retransmitting position to said signal storage position.

15. In a metal storage transmitter, a frictionally driven apparatus for advancing a plurality of storage units from a signal receiving position to a signal retransmitting position, means responsive to the reception of a general class of permutation code signals for eil'ecting the advancement of one of said storage units, and apparatus responsive to certain signal combinations only for preventing the effectiveness of said advancement effecting means.

WALTER J. ZENNER. 

